Public's right to film police officers remains an issue from New York to Los Angeles

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The public's right to film cops is an issue that continues to gain national attention following the death of Eric Garner, who died in police custody.

Garner's fatal July 17 confrontation with cops on a Tompkinsville street was caught on video, and later uploaded online, sparking a national controversy that led many in the city to criticize the NYPD's policing tactics.

The video shows Officer Daniel Pantaleo wrapping his arm around Garner's neck in what appears to be a chokehold and taking him to the ground as Garner says, "I can't breathe."

The report says that resident William Robin claims he was the victim of police intimidation.

"Basically, I pull up, and just whip out my phone," Robin told CBS LA. "Then I just found myself in handcuffs, and next thing you know, I'm at the jail."

The officer responds by telling Robin that he is interfering in his investigation.

"I'm conducting a criminal investigation. I have lawful authority to detain you," the officer said in the video posted on the CBS website. "I am conducting a criminal investigation, and you are taping cars that are involved in that investigation, and I need to know who you are because someone that I'm still looking for is outstanding."

Police arrested Robin, according to the report, and detained him for six hours.

Covina police told the news station that the officer remains on-duty, noting that the department "trains officers to understand the rights of citizens to videotape in public spaces."